Traverse City Record-Eagle

Michigan

August 8, 2012

Michigan in Brief: 08/08/2012

FROM STAFF REPORTS ----

Boy gives lemonade income to Detroit

DETROIT — A 9-year-old boy who sold lemonade with the aim of helping his cash-strapped city improve its finances has raised $3,600 — more than tripling his $1,000 goal.

Joshua Smith presented Detroit a check Tuesday for more than $2,800, the Detroit Free Press reported. His father, Flynn Smith, said the rest will be sent by electronically.

The sale began last week. Joshua said he heard a radio report about the city's money problems while heading to his piano lessons and decided to take action. The city's budget deficit exceeds $200 million, and Detroit this year entered into an agreement with the state that's aimed at fixing the city's finances.

Man, 65, killed in tractor accident

SWAN CREEK TOWNSHIP — Saginaw County authorities said a 65-year-old Vietnam veteran has been killed in a tractor accident.

Sheriff's Lt. Randy Pfau said Gary DeSander, of Swan Creek Township, was found about 7 p.m. Saturday. The lieutenant said the accident happened on the shore of a pond, but DeSander's head was not under water.

The site is near DeSander's home, about 10 miles west-southwest of Saginaw.

Gas producer wins pollution appeal

ROSEBUSH — An appeals court has overturned a decision by federal regulators in a pollution case that involves natural gas production in central Michigan.

The Environmental Protection Agency had considered Summit Petroleum in Isabella County and its wells and pipes as a single source, even if some wells are miles away. The distinction is important for the purpose of regulating significant air pollution.

But a federal appeals court said Tuesday that the EPA is wrong. In a 2-1 decision, the court says the properties near Mount Pleasant are not "adjacent' under the definition of that word.

Emissions from just one well and the production site in Rosebush would exceed more than 100 tons of sulfur dioxide a year.

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